Her father used to tell her that the only guarantees in life were death and taxes. She had always laughed at his pessimism - something that people seemed to acquire as time went on and their hair got greyer.
But as Xiao Ailang lay there in the snow, her blood blooming like a red flower around her body, death had never looked clearer. The car burned to the side - upturned and dented and damaged. The flames that danced on the perimeter of the vehicle were the only source of light in the cold night. Their reflection bounced off the scattered shards of glass, some littered across the ground and other embedded in her skin. She hated the sight in front of her. But, she couldn't move her head nor could she feel her limbs. Some of the snowflakes that fell got caught in her eyelashes. When she blinked them away, her eyes welled up with tears.
At that moment, Xiao Ailang wished, truly from the bottom of her heart, to live for a few more moments. She was desperately hanging on to her last threads of life - willing her fingers to move, her lungs to breathe in a little bit deeper, and her eyes to stay open a little bit longer.
She hadn't finished medical school yet (she worked so hard to get into Harvard). Her parents were still waiting for her to come for the holidays (they were so excited when they talked on the phone that morning). Her 4-year old brother would be so confused if she suddenly disappeared (who would be there to cover up for his mistakes as he got older?). There were so many things she hadn't done and hadn't said. How could she part with this world when she was filled with so many regrets? With so many dreams left unfulfilled?
It's not fair.
Why me...?
Give me some more time.
One more chance.
Please...
Xiao Ailang, as she closed her eyes for the last time, never thought the heavens would grant her wish.
❀ ✿
In a different place, in a different era...
Few could've known that when Ni Ailang succumbed to a fever that lasted an entire winter, she would take her last breathes.
Even fewer could've predicted that a few moments later, she would breathe again - leaving the maids and her parents overjoyed, and the doctors unbelieving.
However, no one would believe that the explanation behind the girl's sudden revival would be the entrance of a new soul - the soul of a woman who died in a car accident with too many regrets and a dying wish asking for one more chance in life.
But that's exactly the reason why, when Xiao Ailang woke up, she found herself living as a nobleman's daughter in ancient China.